Abu Dhabi T10: Naseem Shah, Noor Ahmad, Muhammad Amir among headline picks in 2026 Draft
International stars like Naseem Shah and Muhammad Amir join the Abu Dhabi T10 2026 Draft rosters across six franchises.
Abu Dhabi T10 2026 Draft: Naseem Shah, Muhammad Amir among headline picks
The Abu Dhabi T10 2026 Draft has concluded, unveiling a star-studded lineup of international cricketers heading to the UAE for the upcoming season. High-profile names including Naseem Shah, Muhammad Amir, and Noor Ahmad have been drafted into the six franchises, signaling a massive boost for the tournament's competitive landscape.
International Heavyweights Join the Fray
The draft saw a significant influx of global talent across all six teams. The Royal Desert Champions have bolstered their ranks with pace sensation Naseem Shah and veteran Chris Jordan, joining pre-draft signings Nicholas Pooran, Phil Salt, and Sherfane Rutherford. The squad also features Maheesh Theekshana, Dushmantha Chameera, Muhammad Waseem, Brandon King, Jayanth Liyanage, Gulbadin Naib, and Keemo Paul.
The UAE Bulls have secured significant firepower with the addition of Muhammad Amir and Nuwan Thushara. This follows their earlier acquisitions of Kieron Pollard, Sunil Narine, and Romario Shepherd. The Bulls' roster also includes Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Andre Fletcher, Aneurin Donald, Khwaja Nafay, Max Bryan, Azam Khan, and Scotland's Bradley Currie.
The Emirates Eagles have assembled a formidable batting lineup featuring Alex Hales, KS Bharat, Hassan Nawaz, and Kusal Perera. Their bowling attack is strengthened by Noor Ahmad, Rehan Ahmed, and Ali Raza, complementing pre-draft signings Rovman Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, and Trent Boult. All-round depth is provided by David Wiese and Chris Green, alongside Haider Razzaq, Luqman Faisal, and Harshit Kaushik.
Aces and Lions Aim for Dominance
The Arabian Aces look like a powerhouse with a roster that includes Moeen Ali, Andre Russell, and Liam Livingstone. Their draft picks include Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Sam Billings, Imran Tahir, and Alzarri Joseph. The squad is further rounded out by Richard Gleeson, Dwayne Pretorius, Dunith Wellalage, Alishan Sharafu, and Vriitya Arvind.
The Yas Lions have focused on experience, selecting Dasun Shanaka, James Vince, Tom Moores, and Akeal Hosein. Their bowling strength is bolstered by Eshan Malinga and Obed McCoy, following pre-draft signings Jason Holder, David Willey, and Andries Gous. The team also welcomes Netherlands' Aryan Dutt.
The United Tigers have rounded out the field with a mix of international and local talent. Their squad features Azmatullah Omarzai, Odean Smith, and Mahedi Hasan, alongside Abbas Afridi and Sufyan Moqim. Their pre-draft roster includes a strong Pakistani contingent: Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Faheem Ashraf, as well as Awais Ali Shah and Adithya Shetty.
Rising UAE Talent Takes Center Stage
Beyond the international stars, the Abu Dhabi T10 2026 Draft highlighted the increasing depth of local talent within the UAE. Prominent local selections include Alishan Sharafu, Aayan Afzal Khan, Muhammad Waseem, Haider Razzaq, Muhammad Rohid, Ansh Tandon, and Luqman Faisal, ensuring a strong presence for the host nation across all franchises.